Coatesville Primary School parent says lack of Kiss and Go spots behind unfair fines

Enrolments at a Bentleigh East school have more than doubled, causing a parking fiasco and scores of parents to be slapped with “confusing” fines. Do you know the rules for no-stopping, no parking and Kiss and Go zones?

Parents including Keren Barak and Elizabeth Michelini, pictured with their children, say they have been unfairly fined. Picture: Josie Hayden

A shortfall of drop-off spots outside a bursting Bentleigh East school has forced parents to queue in a no-stopping area — where they’ve been slapped with controversial $161 fines.

But Glen Eira Council says it won’t increase the number of Kiss and Go bays unless the school asks for it.

It comes after scores of furious parents at Coatesville Primary School complained they had been hit with dozens of unfair and confusing fines.

Keren Barak, who is leading the fight to have the fines overturned, said parents were being unfairly targeted while waiting for space to free up in the drop-off area.

She was hit with a $161 fine for parking in a no-stopping zone, but she is adamant she wasn’t parked.

“There are only six spots for Kiss and Go zone so we have to queue to get into them,” she said.

“If I’m stuck behind a car or bus, I don’t have an option but to pull in and wait to move up.

“I’m sitting in the car with my engine on, where else can I go?.”

Ms Barak said the students numbers at Coatesville Primary had more than doubled in the past eight years — from about 400 to about 850 — but no extra Kiss and Go bays had been added.

“They should increase the parking spots — (parents) just want to drop our kids in a safe place as quickly as possible.”

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Glen Eira Council’s director planning and place, Ron Torres, said 142 fines had been issued outside Coatesville Primary between January 1 and June 25.

He said only two fines had been issued for people overstaying the two-minute limit in the Kiss and Go zone.

“The majority of the fines were for the dangerous practice of dropping children off in the No Stopping zone at the school crossing,” he said.

Mr Torres said changes to the number of Kiss and Go bays would be considered if requested by the school.

“If parents want parking areas reviewed they need to contact the school directly, which may in turn contact (the) council if it’s decided the school has outgrown the current parking restrictions,” he said.

“In such cases, council will conduct an assessment and consult with the school on an appropriate outcome.”

Ms Barak said since the Leader first reported the issue last week, she had been contacted by a lawyer determined to help parents fight the fines she says are unfair and confusing.

PARKING SIGNS EXPLAINED

Do you know the difference between no-stopping and no parking signs, or who can use a loading zone?

To help you avoid getting slapped with fines, here’s a run-down of what they all mean.

You can stop in a no parking zone for up to two minutes.

NO PARKING

You can stop in a no parking area for up to two minutes and you must stay within three metres of your vehicle.

If you stop in, or partly in, a no parking zone and you are not picking up or dropping off passengers or good, you are considered to be parked and can be fined — even if you stay with your car.

You just can’t be here — at all.

NO STOPPING

You are not allowed to stop or park your car in, or partly in, these areas.

Not for a minute, not for a second, not even for a jiffy.

Kiss and Go zones have the same rules as no parking areas.

KISS AND GO

These zones operate the same way as no parking areas and the same rules apply.

You can stop here for no longer than two minutes and must stay within three metres of your vehicle.

Kiss and Go signs, found outside schools, are designed to ensure a steady flow of traffic during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

If you park here when you shouldn’t, your car could be towed.

CLEARWAYS

You must not stop in a clearway during the times displayed on the sign.

Public buses and taxis can stop there briefly to pick up or drop off passengers but other drivers risk having their vehicle towed away.

If your vehicle is towed away you face fees of $361 to get it back.

If you don’t collect your vehicle within five days, you’ll be stung an extra $15.20 per day for storage.

Only certain vehicles are allowed use loading zones.

LOADING ZONES

You can stop in a loading zone for up to 30 minutes (or as signed) if you are driving a goods-carrying vehicle, courier or signed delivery car or truck which is dropping off or picking up goods.

Passenger vehicles, including public and private buses and taxis, can stop in a loading zone to pick up or drop-off people.

No other drivers are allowed to stop in these zones, even if they’re loading or unloading.